“…that they all may be one…”

  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:20-21

{Jesus prayed this on the eve of His death}

In John 17:20-26 Jesus prayed for the disciples, and for future believers including me. May this faith in your prayer for me unite me with the saints, Lord. We are perfected in oneness with fellow believers, John 17:22-23:  “…I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one…” We are edified by the love of the brethren, Eph. 4: 16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together…maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love…” See Paul’s longing in Col.2:2: “…That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love…”

 The Lord’s anointing is upon us when we are united in love, Ps. 130:1-3: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments….for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

You prayed for me too, Lord Jesus when you said, “for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” May your prayer avail for me now, Lord, that I be found in this blessing of unity with all the saints of all time, and be made perfect.

This unity is the glory bestowed upon me, Lord.  May I be edified by the love of the brethren – especially those in the local church. May I love them as you loved me, Lord, and may my heart be found blameless in holiness. Amen.

Entering the Narrow Gate

 Let us look for the footprints of Christ that keep our feet in the narrow way.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”

1 Pet. 2:21-23

 Let us seek to have the mind of Christ.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Phil. 2: 5-8

We walk the narrow way when we walk with Jesus in full obedience. He walked the way of full obedience to the Father, all the way to the death on the cross. Lord, I earnestly ask for grace to walk in obedience.

 Open the eyes of my heart, Lord: Let me see the narrow gate. Let me see the narrow way you walked and the footprints you have left for me. You walked bearing your cross, praying, “not my will, but thine be done”. Let me now walk bearing my cross, praying the same.

I humble myself, Lord, to enter by the narrow gate. I humble myself, Lord, to walk the narrow way. I humble myself, Lord, to walk with the few, or even alone.

Let me look for the footprints you have left for me, Lord Jesus:

Your steps of not sinning,

Your steps of having no deceit in your words,

Your steps of not reviling back when reviled,

Your steps of committing yourself to God, the Righteous Judge. Amen.

“…yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered…”

 

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb. 5:7-10

 

 

Concerning the nature of Christ’s sufferings mentioned in the verse above, see Heb. 2:18:

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

When tempted like us (Heb. 4:15), Jesus chose to set aside His own human desires, and to yield to the Father’s will; there was suffering (self-denial) in making such choices. Note that this learning process was necessary to perfect (prove, or test) Him (Heb. 5:8) as man to be offered for us on the cross. We learn obedience in the same way following Jesus’ footsteps. Such a walk of obedience keeps our feet in the “new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” Heb. 10:20.  Thus identified with our Forerunner (Heb. 6:20), we are helped by Him as we learn obedience.

Every step of learning obedience is a step of faith on the way of the cross: step-by-step I must progress. Learning obedience implies effort, diligence, choice, suffering (self-denial); we also learn to delight in doing God’s will (Ps.40:8), seeing the joy that is set before us, Heb. 12:2.

“when He had offered up prayers …” – See examples in John 12:27 and Matt. 26:39-44. May godly fear help us to pray, and may the Spirit help us to pray, Rom. 8:25.

 

“The moment of temptation is a moment of grace.” Anonymous

“Often it is simply the answers to our prayers that cause many of the difficulties in the Christian life…We pray for submissive spirit, and God sends suffering again, for we learn to be obedient in the same way Christ ‘learned obedience from what he suffered,’ Heb. 5:8.”  from Streams in the Desert.

 

 Lord, I give thanks for the grace you give to learn obedience as I endure in trials and adversities.

 Grant that I pray in godly fear, most earnestly, remembering how you prayed with strong crying and tears.

Lord, you “learned obedience” by the things which you suffered. When things are hard for me, Lord, may I find fellowship with you. Thus may I learn obedience as you did and walk in your steps, the way of perfection. Amen.

“…servant of all…”

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:42-45

 

“to minister, and to give His life” – this commitment helps us serve as Jesus served, and be joyful in serving, Acts 20: 24: “…neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…” The overcomers in Rev. 12:11 “loved not their lives unto the death.” We read in 1 John 3:16: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Mothers often exemplify sacrificial love and service as they give birth and raise children (Prov. 31:2). Shepherding the church is compared to a mother’s care for her children (1 Thess. 2:7-8).

” …shall be servant of all” — We can serve as servants — as Christ served — if we are filled with the Spirit of Christ, and have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5-8). Lord, I pray to be filled with the Spirit of Christ and to have the mind of Christ.

 

  Lord, grant me grace to serve, laying aside my own interests, and becoming a “servant of all.”

May I remember your words: “the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”  Lord, let me think about my life thus, daily: To serve and to lay down my life, as you did, and thus be united with you in the Spirit, serving joyfully all the days of my life (Acts 20:24). Lord, open the doors for me to serve, and empower me by the Holy Spirit. May I not desire to be served, but to be serving. Amen.

“…he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”

 

…so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Luke 5:16

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 6:12

 [This was before He chose the twelve disciples.]

 

Jesus “withdrew,” and was alone  for prayer. Jesus did this when His ministry was popular. The busier we are, the more we need to withdraw for solitude and prayer. We have to withdraw periodically from the nearest people and the dearest programs. What is likely to keep us from praying? Let us seek the Lord, and receive correction. See Matt. 21:13.

Jesus prayed all night before He chose the twelve disciples, Luke 6:12-13. Lord, let me seek your will earnestly in important decisions.

George Muller (1805-1898), an evangelist and director of the Ashley Down orphanage on Bristol England, exhorted Christians to continual prayer:

“There is only one route to soul repose… and that is the highway that leads to God’s throne, prayer….It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.”

 

Lord, let me remember your example, and seek solitude for prayer often. Help me to pray as you prayed – alone. May the Holy Spirit help me to pray long; let me not tire, Lord, but be joyful in prayer  (Isa. 56:7), though there be periods of agony (Heb.5: 7). May the Holy Spirit help me to pray in the Spirit (Rom. 8:26; Jude 20-21). Amen.

“Behold, I make all things new.”

 

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev. 21:5-6

 

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev. 22: 5

 

Israel was like a marred vessel in God’s hands, but God promised to make a new vessel from the marred one (Jer.18: 1-6). We have failed, but let us remain in God’s hands, as the marred vessel in the potter’s hands: we have a future of eternal newness!

 

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Lam. 3:22-23

 

 

Create in my heart a new morning, Lord – an eternal morning. Let me forget forever all the memories of the night. May I be a new creation, Lord (2 Cor. 5:17). May it be in my heart as it is in heaven, Lord – “no night.” The Lord God be my light – light of an eternal morning in my heart. You are making all things new in me, Lord – old things are passing away:

A new heart to love you with all my heart, Lord (Rev. 2:4; Ps. 51:10);

A new love for others, Lord, to love as you loved (John 13:34);

A new mind to know your will (Rom.12:2);

A new anointing to serve you with all my heart, Lord (Ps. 92:10);

A new tongue to praise you with all my heart, Lord;

A new awakening to pray, Lord; and, a new love for your Word. Amen.

 

Lord, I commit myself to you, and trust you for the fulfillment of this word. May I hear the prophetic word in my heart: “It is done.” Amen.

 

“…Kindness…”

“The desire of a man is his kindness…” Prov. 19:22

Of the 16 things listed about love in 1 Cor. 13, the very first is “Charity suffereth long, and is kind…” Oh to be longsuffering and kind at the same time! Oh the goodness of God that equips us with such grace! Lord, let me show kindness habitually.

 

While describing his own ministry Paul wrote: “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions,… in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned…” 2 Cor.6:4-6. Kindness equips us to serve others, and endears us to others.

 

“And if our Savior has assured us , it be more blessed to give than to receive, we ought to look upon those that ask our alms, as so many friends and benefactors, that come to do us a greater good than they can receive, that come to exalt our virtue, to be witnesses of our charity, to be monuments of our love, to be our advocates with God, to be to us in Christ’s stead, to appear for us in the day of judgment, and to help us to a blessedness greater than our alms can bestow on them.” William Law, A Serious Call

 

Remembering your great kindness to me (Ps. 103:4), O Heavenly Father, let me show kindness to all as I have opportunity, especially in the family and in the church. May I not fail to show kindness to the poor and the needy, Lord. You said, Lord Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”(Acts 20:35). Let me give as you have given me, Lord, and show kindness. Let me bless others as you have blessed me, and show kindness. Amen.

“…so great faith…”

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matt. 8:8-10

 

The centurion’s faith was great, and this was seen in his humility, and in his acknowledgement of the Lord’s authority. Lord, may my heart be found in deep humility to receive faith for healing, and for all my needs.

A similar picture is found in Matthew 15:

“…But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

The woman’s faith was coupled with humility, as seen from her words.

 

Let me humbly trust you for healing from sin, Lord, always (Ps. 103:3). Let me humbly trust you for healing from sickness, Lord, always. May my faith for healing not fail even if healing is delayed or denied; let me trust in your goodness and your faithfulness, and commit myself to you.  May I, like the centurion, see by faith your Lordship and authority over sickness, sin and sorrow.

 

“I will come and heal him,” you said, Lord (Matt. 8:7). May my faith rest on the promises in your Word. May I have faith to receive what you have promised.  Amen.

“…I will have mercy…”

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matt. 9:10-13

 

[“mercy” = God’s attitude to us when we are in distress; loving-kindness; covers our sins. “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.” This is quoted from Hos. 6:6; same in Matt. 12:7. Jesus’ mercy led Him to befriend sinners.]

 

As we incline our hearts to show mercy, God’s mercy covers us in all our needs, Matt. 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Is there someone to whom I may show mercy today, Lord? Mercy enables us to forgive freely and fully; mercy enriches us to give freely and abundantly.

Mercy comes first, not sacrifice (sacrifice = conformity to the letter of the law). This is especially important for parents in their relationship with their children (Ps.103: 13). Jesus said in Matt. 12:7: “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.” This was in response to those who complained that His disciples broke the Sabbath when they picked the heads of grains and ate.

 

 

O Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3), help me see where I have failed to show mercy, so I may repent, show mercy, and receive mercy. Lord, I come to the Mercy Seat (Heb. 4:16).

May my heart be always inclined to mercy, Lord.  May I be occupied with deeds of mercy. Thankful that I have received mercy at the cross, Lord, let me not delay to show mercy. Amen.

 

Rest, Deeper Rest, Gentleness, and Lowliness

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt. 11:28-30

  Rest and Deeper Rest: Jesus gives us rest when we come to Him; then, there is a deeper rest for our souls in being yoked with Him — agreeing with Him in all things.

“Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?” Amos. 3: 3

Our rest deepens as our heart is made meek and lowly like His heart.

Rest, gentleness, and lowliness — these three belong together. Lord, let me set my heart on rest, gentleness and lowliness.

 

As the flowing waters seek the lowest valley, so the grace of God seeks the humblest heart.

“…he giveth grace unto the lowly.” Prov. 3:34

 Such a heart comes to deep rest in God.  May I find such rest in you moment by moment, Lord. 

 

Lord Jesus, I come for the rest you give: May my soul be eased, relieved and refreshed. May my heart learn from you, and become gentle and lowly like your heart, so I may live in fellowship with you, Lord, all the time. Save me from pride. Fellowshipping with you, Lord, I will be like you, my heart made gentle and lowly, like your heart, and abiding in the rest you give. I bless you for the rest you give as soon as I come to you, and for the deeper rest in being yoked with you.

Grant Lord, that I love the yoke of meekness and lowliness of heart. May I live in the spirit and power of Christ; learning to think humbly, speak humbly, and serve humbly, remembering that I am yoked with the meek and lowly Christ. Is my heart in a humble state? Lord, help me. Amen.